Former Worcester Cathedral chorister, Peter Holder will be returning to the Cathedral to perform its annual Gala Organ Recital on Saturday, October 11 at 7.30pm.
The recital celebrates the 17th birthday of the Cathedral’s Quire Organ, and will include Sir Edward Elgar’s Severn Suite, alongside other repertoire that will showcase the many colours and characters of this exciting instrument.
Peter Holder grew up in Bewdley and was a chorister in Worcester Cathedral Choir in the early 2000s.
Upon leaving King’s School Worcester, where he was a music scholar, he studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, before holding organist posts at St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
As Sub-Organist at Westminster Abbey, Peter Holder was organist for both the State Funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
He has performed as a solo artist at the BBC Proms, and in many concert venues across the world. He presently holds the post of Organist at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford.
Peter said: “I’m thrilled to be returning to Worcester Cathedral where I spent such formative years as a chorister and look forward to performing a programme reflective of the career that training has afforded me.
The centrepiece is the Severn Suite by local composer, Edward Elgar, which sits alongside works by Coronation composers William Byrd, William Harris and Iain Farrington, and the Master of the King’s Music, Errollyn Wallen. I do hope you can join me!”
Samuel Hudson, Organist and Director of Music, added: “We are thrilled to be welcoming Peter Holder back to Worcester Cathedral to celebrate the 17th birthday of our Quire Organ.
“We are looking forward to hearing his programme and are sure that his characterful playing will captivate and delight the audience.
“We are always proud of our former choristers, not least those who go on to contribute to the highest level of cathedral music-making and we are in awe of all that Peter has already achieved.”
Tickets can be purchased in advance from the Worcester Cathedral website or on the night itself.
To coincide with the recital, and to mark Play the Organ Year, Worcester Cathedral is offering the opportunity to try the Cathedral organ on the afternoon of Saturday, October 11 ahead of the recital.
Aimed at those who already play the piano or keyboard, the Cathedral music team will help newcomers to the organ to make this mighty instrument sing.
The event is open to participants of any age, although under 18s will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Places are limited, and to register, please contact Nicholas Freestone on [email protected]
Samuel added: “We hope many people will take the opportunity to have a go on the Cathedral Organ. Known as the ‘King of Instruments’, it is surely one of the most exciting instruments to play, though not without its challenges.
“This introductory session will be ideal for aspiring organists at any stage in their learning.”
